Madhu Ambat is an Indian cinematographer. With a career spanning over 40 years, he is one of the most prolific cinematographers in

Indian cinema The Cinema of India consists of motion pictures produced in India, which had a large effect on world cinema since the late 20th century. Major centers of film production across the country include Mumbai, Chennai, Hyderabad, Visakhapatnam, ...

. He is best known for his work in films such as ''

Amaram ''Amaram'' () is a 1991 Indian Malayalam drama film directed by Bharathan and written by A. K. Lohithadas. It stars Mammootty, Maathu, K. P. A. C. Lalitha, Ashokan, Murali, Chitra, and Kuthiravattam Pappu in the main roles. The film's scor ...

'', '' Anjali'', and '' Makaramanju''. He currently resides in

Chennai Chennai (, ), formerly known as Madras ( the official name until 1996), is the capital city of Tamil Nadu, the southernmost Indian state. The largest city of the state in area and population, Chennai is located on the Coromandel Coast of th ...

Tamil Nadu Tamil Nadu (; , TN) is a state in southern India. It is the tenth largest Indian state by area and the sixth largest by population. Its capital and largest city is Chennai. Tamil Nadu is the home of the Tamil people, whose Tamil language ...

. He has won the National Film Award for Best Cinematography thrice. He is a member of the Indian Society of Cinematographers (ISC).

Personal life

Madhu Ambat was born on 6 March 1949 in Ernakulam to Ambat Sulochana and Prof K. Bhagyanath and he is the grandson of Ambat Sivarama Menon. He is a graduate and holds a diploma from the Film Institute of India, Poona, from where he graduated in 1973, securing a gold medal. Madhu's father, K. Bhagyanath, resigned as a Professor of English to be a full-time magician. Bhagyanath was also an amateur photographer. Bhagyanath and his wife Sulochana believed that one should take the profession one liked best. Madhu got admission in IIT and at the same time he selected in

Pune Film Institute The Film and Television Institute of India (FTII) is a film institute under the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting of the Government of India and aided by the Central Government of India. It is situated on the premises of the erstwhile ...

. Despite of all hindrances from the relatives, Madhu's parents allowed him to join in the Film institute, and he sustained the faith of his parents on him by achieving a gold medal at the institute. And all these helped Madhu take cinematography as his profession. Madhu, who started his career with a documentary for famous director Ramu Kariat, has been cinematographer for over 120 films. His younger sister is the renowned actress and dancer

Vidhubala Vidhubala is a former Indian actress who started her career in the mid-1960s and retired from the industry in 1981. She is well known for hosting the family reality show Kadhayallithu Jeevitham in Amrita TV spanning for 10 years.She has acted ...

Career

After graduating from the

, Madhu Ambat entered the film industry in 1973, photographing a documentary for

Ramu Kariat Ramu Kariat (1 February 1927 – 10 February 1979) was an Indian film director for almost three decades from the 1950s to the 1970s, who directed many acclaimed films in the Malayalam cinema. His noted films include '' Neelakkuyil'' (1954), '' ...

. In a career spread over 35 years, he has been the cinematographer for a number of notable films winning many awards. Ambat also heads a non-profit making research organization "Fantasia Centre for Research and Development of Cinema". This newly started organization strives to develop an atmosphere for research in cinema and to spread a film culture. In 2003, he completed ''1:1.6 An Ode to Lost Love'', his debut film as a director.

Filmography

*1975 - ''

Love Letter A love letter is an expression of love in written form. However delivered, the letter may be anything from a short and simple message of love to a lengthy explanation and description of feelings. History One of the oldest references to a l ...

'' *1977 - '' Njaaval Pazhangal'' as Madhu-Shaji *1978 - '' Manushyan '' as Madhu-Shaji *1978 - ''Kudhira Motte '' *1978 - ''Nalegannu Maduvavaru'' *1978 - '' Prema Kama '' *1978 - '' Ithihasa '' *1978 - ''Saritha'' *1978 - ''

Ashwathama In the Hindu epic the ''Mahabharata'', Ashwatthama ( sa, अश्वत्थामा, Aśvatthāmā) or Drauni was the son of guru Drona and Kripi (sister of Kripacharya). He was the grandson of the sage Bharadwaja. Ashwatthama ruled ...

'' *1978 - '' Yaro Oral'' *1979 - ''Hridhayathil Nee Mathram'' *1979 - ''Pichipoo '' *1980 - ''

Oppol ''Oppol'' ( en, italic=yes, Elder Sister) is a 1981 Malayalam-language drama film, produced by Rosamma George under the banner of JMJ Arts, directed by K. S. Sethumadhavan and written by M. T. Vasudevan Nair. The film stars Balan K. Nair, Menaka ...

'' *1980 - '' Saraswathi Yaamam'' *1980 - '' Sooryante Maranum'' *1980 - ''Seetha'' *1982 - '' Lahari'' as Madhu-Shaji *1983 - ''

Adi Shankaracharya Adi Shankara ("first Shankara," to distinguish him from other Shankaras)(8th cent. CE), also called Adi Shankaracharya ( sa, आदि शङ्कर, आदि शङ्कराचार्य, Ādi Śaṅkarācāryaḥ, lit=First Shanka ...

'' *1983 - '' Phaniyamma'' *1984 - ''

Sandhya Mayangum Neram '' Sandhya Mayangum Neram'' () is a 1983 Indian Malayalam-language film directed by Bharathan, written by John Paul and produced Boban Kunchakko. Starring Bharat Gopy, Sreenath, T. G. Ravi, Jayabharathy, Philomina and Unni Mary. Film critic ...

'' *1984 - ‘ ‘Swantham Sarika ‘’ *1986 - '' Tabarana Kathe'' *1986 - '' Uppu'' *1987 - ''

Swathi Thirunal ( ml, സ്വാതി തിരുനാള്‍ രാമവർമ്മ) (16 April 1813 – 26 December 1846) was the Maharaja of the Kingdom of Travancore. He is also considered as a brilliant music composer and is credited with over 4 ...

'' *1988 - '' Vaishali'' *1989 - '' Vachanam'' *1990 - '' Anjali'' *1990 - '' Disha'' *1990 - '' Sutradhaarulu'' *1991 - ''

'' *1992 - ''

Daivathinte Vikrithikal ''Daivathinte Vikrithikal'' () is a 1992 Malayalam-language film co-written and directed by Lenin Rajendran based on M. Mukundan's novel of the same name. The film tells the story of Alphonso, a man who chooses to suffer a slow, torturous lif ...

'' *1992 - '' Praying with Anger'' *1992 - '' Swaroopam'' *1993 - ''

Bhagvad Gita The Bhagavad Gita (; sa, श्रीमद्भगवद्गीता, lit=The Song by God, translit=śrīmadbhagavadgītā;), often referred to as the Gita (), is a 700-verse Hindu scripture that is part of the epic '' Mahabharata'' (c ...

'' *1993 - ''

Magrib The Maghreb (; ar, الْمَغْرِب, al-Maghrib, lit=the west), also known as the Arab Maghreb ( ar, المغرب العربي) and Northwest Africa, is the western part of North Africa and the Arab world. The region includes Algeria, ...

'' *1993 - ''

Padheyam ''Patheyam'' () is a 1993 Indian Malayalam-language drama film directed by Bharathan, based on a screenplay by A. K. Lohithadas. The film stars Mammootty and Chippy in lead roles, along with Nedumudi Venu, Sasikala, Bharat Gopy and Oduvil Unnik ...

'' *1994 - '' Nammavar'' *1994 - ''

Swami Vivekananda Swami Vivekananda (; ; 12 January 1863 – 4 July 1902), born Narendranath Datta (), was an Indian Hindu monk, philosopher, author, religious teacher, and the chief disciple of the Indian mystic Ramakrishna. He was a key figure in the intr ...

'' *1994 - ''Amodini'' *1997 - ''Churam'' *1997 - ''

Kulam Filipino witches are the users of black magic and related practices from the Philippines. They include a variety of different kinds of people with differing occupations and cultural connotations which depend on the ethnic group they are associat ...

'' *1997 - ''Bapa'' *1999 - '' Khoobsurat'' *1999 - '' Thammudu'' *2000 - '' Badri'' *2001 - '' Lajja'' *2003 - ''

Anyar ''Anyar'' is a Malayalam language fiīlm of India. It was released on 19 September 2003. The film deals with the hot topic of communal polarisation in Kerala. The film stars Jyothirmayi and Biju Menon Plot Sooraj and Razia are college mates. S ...

'' *2003 - ''

Chupke Se ''Chupke Se'' ( en, Secretly), is a 2003 Bollywood Romantic comedy film, directed by Shona Urvashi. It stars Zulfi Syed, Masumeh Makhija, Rati Agnihotri, Tinnu Anand, Om Puri, Reema Lagoo and Dilip Prabhawalkar. The film's soundtrack was com ...

'' *2004 - ''

Chanakya Chanakya ( Sanskrit: चाणक्य; IAST: ', ; 375–283 BCE) was an ancient Indian polymath who was active as a teacher, author, strategist, philosopher, economist, jurist, and royal advisor. He is traditionally identified as Kauṭi ...

'' *2004 - ''1:1.6 An Ode to Lost Love'' *2004 - ''Pravahi'' (Documentary short) *2005 - ''

June R ''June R'' is a 2006 Indian Tamil-language drama film directed by Revathy Varmha. The film stars Jyothika in the title role which was her 25th Tamil film along with the supporting cast Khushbu Sundar, Saritha and Biju Menon. The film's soundtr ...

'' *2006 - '' Aadum Koothu'' *2006 - '' Provoked: A True Story'' *2007 - ''

Shoot on Sight ''Shoot on Sight'' is a 2007 British film directed by Jag Mundhra and produced by Aron Govil. The film was marketed and distributed globally by Aron Govil Productions Inc. The cast includes Brian Cox, Sadie Frost, Naseeruddin Shah and Om Puri. ...

'' *2007 - ''

Sringaram ''Sringaram'' is a 2007 Indian Tamil-language period drama film directed by debutante Sharada Ramanathan, a cultural activist. Co-written by novelist Indra Soundar Rajan and produced bPadmini Ravi herself a dancer, it stars Aditi Rao Hydari, in ...

'' *2008 - ''

Maan Gaye Mughal-e-Azam '' Maan Gaye Mughal-E-Azam'', is a 2008 Indian Hindi-language crime comedy film about a group of actors who attempt to prevent an underworld conspiracy from destabilizing the Indian government. The film is set in 1993 after the communal riots th ...

'' *2009 - '' Kerala Cafe'' (segment "Makal") *2010 - '' Graamam'' *2010 - ''

Hisss The Handheld Isothermal Silver Standard Sensor (HISSS) project was sponsored by DARPA in the 2000s to develop a hand-held sensor that is capable of identifying biological weapon threats across the entire spectrum including bacteria, viruses and tox ...

'' *2010 - '' Makaramanju'' *2011 - ''

Adaminte Makan Abu ''Adaminte Makan Abu'' () is a 2011 Indian Malayalam-language social drama film written, directed and co-produced by Salim Ahamed. It stars Salim Kumar and Zarina Wahab, with Mukesh, Kalabhavan Mani, Suraj Venjarammoodu, and Nedumudi Venu in ...

'' *2012 - '' Kalikaalam'' *2013 - '' Kunjananthante Kada'' *2013 - '' Thee Kulikkum Pachai Maram'' *2014 - '' Namma Gramam'' *2014 - ''

Sivappu ''Sivappu'' () is a 2015 Tamil language film directed by Sathyasiva and produced by Muktha Films and 'Punnagai Poo' Gheetha. Evoking the plight of Sri Lankan Tamil refugees in India, the film stars Rajkiran, Naveen Chandra and Rupa Manjari, w ...

'' *2015 - ''

Pathemari Pathemari () is a 2015 Indian Malayalam-language period drama film written and directed by Salim Ahamed and starring Mammootty in the lead role, with a supporting cast that includes Jewel Mary, Siddique, Sreenivasan, Salim Kumar, Shaheen Siddi ...

'' *2018 - '' Pani - Fever'' *2018 - '' And the Oscar Goes To...'' *2020 - ''Itlu Amma''

Awards

;

National Film Awards The National Film Awards is the most prominent film award ceremony in India. Established in 1954, it has been administered, along with the International Film Festival of India and the Indian Panorama, by the Indian government's Directorat ...

* 1984: Best Cinematography - ''

Adi Sankaracharya Adi Shankara ("first Shankara," to distinguish him from other Shankaras)(8th cent. CE), also called Adi Shankaracharya ( sa, आदि शङ्कर, आदि शङ्कराचार्य, Ādi Śaṅkarācāryaḥ, lit=First Shanka ...

'' (Sanskrit) * 2006: Best Cinematography - ''

'' (Tamil) * 2010: Best Cinematography - ''

'' (Malayalam) ;

Kerala State Film Awards The Kerala State Film Awards are the film awards for a motion picture made in Kerala. The awards started in 1969 by the Department of Cultural Affairs, Government of Kerala and since 1998 the awards have been bestowed by Kerala State Ch ...

* 1978: ''Aswathama'', ''Sooryante Maranam'' and '' Yaro Oral'' * 1987: ''Purushartham'', ''

'' * 1990: ''

'' * 2018: ''Pani'', ''And the Oscar Goes To'' ; Nandi Awards * 1990:

Nandi Award for Best Cinematographer The Nandi Award for Best Cinematographer winners was commissioned since 1977: References {{DEFAULTSORT:Nandi Award For Best Cinematographer Cinematography Cinematography (from ancient Greek κίνημα, ''kìnema'' "movement" and γ� ...

- '' Hrudayanjali'' ;

South Indian International Movie Awards South Indian International Movie Awards, also known as the SIIMA Awards, rewards the artistic and technical achievements of the South Indian film industry. It was launched in 2012 by Vishnu Vardhan Induri and Brinda Prasad Adusimilli to apprec ...

* 2012: SIIMA Award for Best Cinematographer - '' Makaramanju'' ;

Asianet Film Awards The Asianet Film Awards is an award ceremony for films presented annually by Asianet, a Malayalam-language television network from the south-Indian state of Kerala. Asianet says that awards ceremony has been instituted to honour both artis ...

* 2012: Best Cinematographer - ''

'' * 2013 -

Asiavision Awards Asiavision Awards have been held annually since 2006 to honor the artistes and technicians of Indian cinema and television & is organized under the leadership of renowned journalist Nissar Syed. More than 40,000 people across United Arab Emirates ...

- Best Cinematographer

References

External links

Official website
{{DEFAULTSORT:Ambat, Madhu Living people Best Cinematography National Film Award winners Kerala State Film Award winners Kannada film cinematographers 1949 births Tamil film cinematographers Film and Television Institute of India alumni Malayalam film cinematographers Film directors from Kochi Malayalam film directors 20th-century Indian film directors 21st-century Indian film directors 20th-century Indian photographers 21st-century Indian photographers Cinematographers from Kerala